Pregnant PM continues to push abortion liberalisation agenda

‘In 2018, it should no longer be a part of our Crimes Act’ – PM discusses moving abortion to Health ActTVNZ One News 28 May 2018Family First Comment: In 2018, it STILL involves the taking of a human life. #biology

Jacinda Ardern said there are a number of “flow on effects” from abortion being categorised in New Zealand’s Crimes Act, as the Law Commission undertakes a consultation process to look at moving abortion into the Health Act.

Recently Ireland voted in a referendum to legalise abortion, which means their Government are able to introduce legislation to have abortion in Ireland’s health services.

Today the Prime Minister was asked in a press conference about New Zealand’s abortion laws in comparison with Ireland’s.

“I think there is a difference,” Ms Ardern said. “You can access abortions in New Zealand, the issue is we still categorise it within our Crimes Act, and of course there are then a number of flow on effects from it being categorised in that way, for the way that women access.”

“My personal view is that in 2018, it should no longer be a part of our Crimes Act, regardless of whether or not women can access it.”

Minister of Justice Andrew Little told Stuff it was possible legislation that would move abortion from the Crimes Act to the Health Act would go through Parliament next year, with MPs able to have a conscience vote on the issue. He asked the Law Commission in February to research changing abortion policy.

“That’s why I think it’s only right that we have the Law Commission undertake this work,” Ms Ardern said.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark wants abortion removed from Crimes ActNewsHub 28 May 2018
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark says abortion should be removed from the Crimes Act, and should be a decision to be made between a woman and her doctor.

Earlier on Monday, leader of the opposition Simon Bridges said abortion should be “rare, safe and legal” but did not think it needed to be removed from the Crimes Act.

Ms Clark says that while the Act is “liberally interpreted”, abortion law still needs a shake-up in New Zealand.

“We have complicated law because the Crimes Act says abortion is an offence – but then we have the Contraception and Sterilisation Act, which gives grounds on which you can get an abortion: if you feel your life is threatened, or your physical and or mental health is threatened.